Especially attentive for certain noticed as a result of the analysis of blood such indicator, as a hematocrit. The latter is needed to determine the percentage of so-called uniform components - red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. There are special norms. And if the tests correspond to them, it means that the health of the examinee is good. If the hematocrit is elevated or lowered, it means that there are some changes in the body. Deviation from the norm is considered an alarm signal, requiring careful study.
The hematocrit in blood is lowered - what does it mean?
The normal percentage of the constituent parts, depending on the age and sex of the person, changes. So, in the blood of an adult healthy woman of erythrocytes , platelets and leukocytes should be approximately 47%. Of course, a deviation of one to two percent is not a cause for concern. However, if the indicator falls by five to ten units, the specialist should be contacted immediately.
To understand that the hematocrit is lowered, it is possible even before obtaining the results of the analysis. The problem is manifested by such symptoms:
- severe tachycardia;
- pale skin;
- a constant sense of weakness;
- deterioration of the hair condition, their loss;
- shortness of breath .
That's what it means - low hematocrit in the blood:
- Most often, a sharp drop in the percentage of the constituent elements is observed against anemia. With this disease in the blood there is not enough red blood cells - red blood cells. As a result, cells and organs lack sufficient nutrients. Usually, due to anemia, increased irritability, headaches and dizziness are associated with the underlying symptoms of a decreased hematocrit.
- Sometimes the causes of decreased hematocrit become cardiovascular and kidney diseases. They, as a rule, lead to an increase in the volume of circulating plasma. And this, in turn, causes a decrease in the percentage of blood constituents.
- Hyperhydration is also considered dangerous. And this problem need not be caused by excessive consumption of liquid. The disease can develop and against poisoning, ailments of viral or infectious origin.
- All pregnant women take a blood test for hematocrit, and often it is lowered. This is considered normal, and yet a future mother with this problem should receive more attention from doctors. Most often, the indicator decreases in the second half of pregnancy.
- Medicine has experienced cases where reduced hematocrit was a symptom of malignant tumors.
- It happens that red blood cells, platelets and leukocytes become less as a result of heavy blood loss.
- Lowering the hematocrit, among other things, can as a result of inflammatory processes in various tissues and organs.
False lower hematocrit in the blood
There is also such a concept. False results appear in such cases:
- if during the analysis the patient lies;
- as a result of prolonged compliance with bed rest;
- with improper, inadequate and unbalanced nutrition;
- because of the strong and prolonged transmission of the vein by a tourniquet.
Especially neat analysis should be given to patients with diluted blood. Inexperienced lab technicians can mistakenly take material for research from the very place where the infusion was recently made.
If you had to deal with any of the above factors, it is best to reassess the analysis. It is very likely that the next time the blood is collected according to all the rules, the results will return to normal.